Boot for ice climbing

ABSTRACT

A sports boot, particularly for ice climbing. The boot has an upper, a rigid sole directly fixed to the upper, and climbing crampons directly fixed to the rigid sole. The rigid sole can be made of a composite material or metal. It is provided with threaded inserts capable of receiving screws for fixing the crampons.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon French Patent Application No.01.07418, filed Jun. 5, 2001, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority ofwhich is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a boot for climbing vertical iceadapted to receive crampons.

[0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

[0005] Boots adapted to the aforementioned type of activity aretypically mountain boots or climbing boots adapted to receive icecrampons.

[0006] These boots have a rigid outer sole that is substantiallynon-deformable, particularly in flexion, with attachment surfaces at thefront and at the rear adapted to cooperate in a known manner withso-called ice crampons, which are removable and which are positionedbefore climbing.

[0007] In a known boot of this type, crampons specifically adapted forthis activity are mounted in cavities provided in the walking sole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to propose a boot providedfor climbing ice that is as light as possible and as efficient aspossible.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the present invention inthat the sports boot, particularly the ice climbing boot, has an upperonto which a rigid sole is directly fixed, the crampons being directlyfixed to the rigid sole.

[0010] One thus obtains a boot specific to the intended activity, whichis particularly light while having the rigidity required for holding thecrampons and practicing the sport, because it is not burdened with aconventional sole, which is heavy.

[0011] Furthermore, the crampons are fixed much closer to the foot,which increases the efficiency of the unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be better understood and other advantages willbe better seen through the description that follows, with reference tothe attached schematic drawing showing, by way of non-limiting examples,several embodiments and in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a boot according to theinvention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a side view of the boot of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a boot according to anotherembodiment;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view along the line IV-IVof FIG. 3;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 according to a conventionalmounting; and

[0018]FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 according to anotherembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the boot according to the invention includesan upper 2, a rigid sole 10, and crampons 20 directly fixed to the rigidsole 10.

[0020] In the case shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the upper 2 is mounted on aninsole 3, according to a strobel mounting, i.e., the insole 3 isrelatively flexible and seals the lower end 2 a of the upper 2 by aperipheral stitching 4 that assembles the lower end 2 a to the insole 3.The upper/insole 3 assembly thus mounted is then assembled to the rigidsole 10 by gluing, the glue being applied between the insole 3 and therigid sole 10.

[0021] The rigid sole 10 comprises a plate of composite material, about5 millimeters thick.

[0022] It has a rigidity of 100 daN, or about 100 daN, comprisedpreferably between 80 daN and 120 daN, or about 80 daN and about 120daN.

[0023] The material used, for example, is a composite materialconstituted of various layers or materials of glass, carbon or aramidfibers embedded in resins, such as epoxy or polyester.

[0024] The rigid sole 10 could also be made of a rigid material, such asmetal, aluminum, etc. The advantage of a construction using a compositematerial is that this material offers the best compromise betweenrigidity and lightness.

[0025] Whether the rigid sole 10 is made of a composite material or of ametal, it has internally threaded inserts 11 capable of receiving screws12 for fixing the crampons 20. These inserts 11 are fixed through theoutside of the boot.

[0026] As shown in the drawing, the crampons 20 can be formed of twoseries of crampons, the front 21 and rear 22, respectively. They canalso be of made of a single piece.

[0027] Fixing the crampons 20 to the sole by means of screws allows aremovable mounting, so as to replace them in case of deterioration or topossibly insert a gaiter for covering the boot (not shown in thedrawing) between the upper and the crampon.

[0028] The crampons 20 can also be fixed to the sole 10 by riveting.

[0029] Furthermore, a shock-absorbing element 15 is inserted between theupper 2 and the sole 10 in the area of the heel. This shock-absorbingelement made of light foam also has a dampening function, compensatesfor the difference in altitude, commonly called DH, between the heelsupport 13 and the foot metatarsal support 14, and therefore duplicatesthe conventional construction of boots.

[0030] In this case, the outer sole 10 is preformed so as to duplicatethe difference in height DH between the heel support 13 and the frontsupport 14, and therefore has a profile that is adapted to the lowerprofile of the upper.

[0031] Likewise, a shock-absorbing element 16 is provided at the frontbetween the rigid sole 10 and the upper 2. It could also be omittedsince shock-absorption is performed only at the heel.

[0032] The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from that of FIGS. 1 and 2 inthat no shock-absorbing element is provided in the area of the heel, norin the area of the metatarsi. In this case, therefore, the rigid sole 10has a substantially flat profile and the transmittal of the forces fromthe foot to the crampon or from the crampon to the foot is more direct.

[0033]FIG. 4 shows an upper assembly that is different from that shownin FIGS. 1 and 5, namely a conventional assembly. In this case, theupper 2 is mounted on a rigid insole 3, its lower ends 2 a are foldedand glued to the insole 3. The advantage of such a construction is thatthe rigid insole 3 further reinforces the rigidity of the assembly.

[0034]FIG. 6 shows an assembly that is different from that of FIGS. 1-4.

[0035] In this case, the upper 2 is mounted on a flexible insole 3 madeof felt, for example, its lower ends 2 a are folded and glued to theinsole 3. The upper/insole 3 assembly thus mounted is then assembled tothe rigid sole 10 by gluing, the glue being applied between the insole 3and the rigid sole 10.

[0036] In this case,. the inserts 11 for mounting the crampons 20 aredirectly fixed from the insole 3, i.e., starting on the inside of theboot and extending through the rigid sole 10, and the crampons 20 aretherefore fixed by screws 12 screwed into the inserts 11, directly inthe insole and the rigid sole 10.

[0037] As a result, the construction is lightened to the maximum sincethe felt insole 3 is lighter than a more rigid insole.

[0038] Furthermore, the fixing of crampons 20 reinforces the upper2/insole 3/rigid sole 10 assembly.

[0039] In this embodiment, no shock-absorption is provided in the areaof the heel, and the rigid sole 10 has a flat profile, as in the case ofFIG. 3, which allows for a more direct transmittal of the forces.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the particularembodiments described hereinabove by way of non-limiting examples, butencompasses all similar or equivalent embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sports boot for ice climbing, said bootcomprising: an upper; a rigid sole directly fixed to the upper; andclimbing crampons directly fixed to said rigid sole.
 2. A sports bootaccording to claim 1, wherein the rigid sole is made of a compositematerial.
 3. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the rigid soleis made of metal.
 4. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein therigid sole has a rigidity comprised between 80 and 120 daN.
 5. A sportsboot according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sole has a profile adaptedto the lower profile of the upper.
 6. A sports boot according to claim1, wherein the rigid sole is provided with threaded inserts capable ofreceiving screws for fixing the crampons.
 7. A sports boot according toclaim 1, wherein the crampons are fixed by rivets the rigid sole.
 8. Asports boot according to claim 1, wherein the boot upper is mounted to arigid insole according to a conventional mounting principle.
 9. A sportsboot according to claim 1, wherein the upper is strobel-mounted to aflexible insole.
 10. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein meansfor absorbing shocks are provided between a lower surface of the upperand the rigid sole.